Proportionate price increment selector



March 26, 1963 E. L. coPoNY PROPORTIONATE PRICE INCREMENT SELECTOR FiledDec. 30, 1959 4 She ets-Shed'l 1 #D 1D 1T vl VE vVALVE GEAR :Box

BASE fMrEmER Toul. :GALLON fcouNT-ER March 26, 1963 E. L. coPoNY3,082,945

PROPORTIONATE PRICE INCREMENT SELECTOR Filed Dec. 50, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 2 @A @ma March 26, 1963 E. coPoNY 3,082,945

PROPORTIONATE PRICE INGREMENT SELECTOR Filed Dec. 30, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet I5 March 26, 1963 E. L. coPoNY 3,082,945

PRoPoRTIoNATE PRICE INCREMENT SELECTOR Filed Deo. 5o, 1959 4sheets-sheet 4 United States Patent Office I 3,082,945 Patented Mar. 26,1963 This invention relates to a device for determining a proportionalincrement to be added to the cost of a base lluid to which an additivefluid is mixed at various ratios by a lblending dispenser, and it moreparticularly relates to such a device for use in conjunctio-n with agasoline pump which dispenses a range of blends of gasolines havingdifferent octane ratings.

The wide range of compression ratios of automobile engines in currentuse has made i-t necessary for gasoline dealers to provide a widevariety of gasolines of different octane ratings. Some gasolinestations, therefore, pro- Ivide as many as nine different grades ofgasolines instead of the two formerly conventionalv high and low tes-tgrades; `and to avoid the necessity of providing a storage ltank andassociated dispensing equipment for each grade, it has been yfoundhighly advantageous to store only two grades of ygasoline and to blendthem at various ratios to suit the individual motorist.

Various types of blending and dispensing equipment have been proposedfor this purpose, and these dispensers all must in some way calculatethe price of the blended mixture which is governed by the cost of thebase and additive fluids and the amounts of each that are used. Some ofthese units have individually priced the costs of two fluids dispensedand added them to provide a total price. Other units change the settingof a single price variator in accordance with the change in cost of eachblended mixture. Still another unit which is described in U.S. LettersPatent 2,880,908 determines the cost of the base fluid by means of aconventional variator, and it adds to this cost a price increment whichis calculated in accordance with the amount of higher octane additivefluid which is dispensed.

This price increment is determined, from a selective set of gears whoseoutput may be varied in discrete steps throughout the price spreadbetween the base and additive grades. This selective gearing may beset,for example, to provide one-half cent increments between the variousblends. However, these fixed increments do not reect a truelproportionate price for the blended mixture, but permit accuratenon-proportionate pricing of the blended mixtures where the weight andmeasure laws do notprohibit a variance from an exact proportionatepricing system. Furthermore, this pricing in accordance with a set offixed price increments severely limits the number of intermediate blendsthat may be Idispensed when the spread in price between the pure higherand lower octane fluids is very close, and nonproportionate pricingarrangements yfor blended mixtures are absolutely prohibited by theweight and measure laws of some localities such as those of variousforeign countries.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a priceincrement selector of the type described which proportionately pricesintermediate blends; and

Another object is to provide a selector of this type which is compact,simple and economical to manufacture and simple to operate.

In accordance with this invention, a proportionate price selectorincorporates a compound gear train which is connected to the meteringportion of the blending dispenser `which provides an input theretocorresponding to the rate at which it dispenses the blended mixture.This compound gear train includes two stages which are connected inseries with each other and include a number of selectable sets of gears.One `of these stages selects a ratio corresponding Ito the proper priceincrement for the additive fluid, and the other selects a ratiocorresponding to the blending ratio to which the dispenser is set. Ashifting means is associated with each of these stages to permitselection of both price increment and .blending ratios. The priceincrement stage is relatively lpermanently set in accordance with theprice of the particular higher octane iluid being utilized; however, theratio of the blending stage varies with each change in blend that isdispensed. These two series-connected stages provide an overall outputwhich is a combined function of the selected blending ratio and priceincrement, and this output is added to that of the base price variatorto accurately reilect the amounts of base and additive fluids in thedispensed mixture.

An extremely simple and compact selector of this type is made bymounting the two series-connected stages upon two parallel shafts withone set of ygears of each of these stages being secured upon remoteportions of separate shafts and another set of gears of each of thesestages rotatably mounted upon the opposite corresponding portions ofthese shafts; A connecting gear engages the rotatably mounted gears witheach other to couple lthe two stages together. Selection of the blendingand price increment ratios is conveniently accomplished byA selectiveengagement of idlers with predetermined sets of gears in each of thetwostages. The selection of the blending ratio is, for example,automatically accomplished when the dispenser is set at the selectedblending ratio, and the price increment ratio is relatively permanentlyselected by the operator and left in position as long as the price ofadditive lluid does not change.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. f1 is a schematic block diagram of a variable ratio blending fluiddispenser incorporating a selective gear ing element which is oneembodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in lFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an idler portion of the embodiment sho-wn inFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4--8 are cross-sectional views respectively taken through FIG. Zalong the lines 4--4, 5 5, 6-6, 7--7 and A8-8;

FIG. `8A is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 8 in an alternatecondition of operation; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the gear train em,- p'loyed. in theembodiment shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. l is shown an embodiment 10 of the type shown in FIG. 2 as it isincorporated in the schematic diagram of a blending dispenser i12 whichis, for example, of the type described in U.S. Letters Patent 2,880,908.As indicated in FIG. l, the price of the lluid mixture 14 dischargedfrom dispenser 12 through nozzle 16 is determined by adding theprice'information derived from a conventional variator 18 -which isdriven in accordance with the total quantity delivered as calculatedfrom the outputs of base meter 20 and additive meter 22. These outputsare added in a differential 24 and fed to variator 18 `and selectivegearing block :10. Variator I18 is set to price the fluid with theassumption that it is totally composed of the less expensive base fluid.Selective gearing unit 10 provides a price increment corresponding tothe extra cost entailed by the additive fluid. This extra or incrementalcost is added to the base cost determined in variator 18 by adifferential 26 which feeds this total cost information to a pricecounter 28 which displays it to operator and purchaser. The totalgallonage delivered is displayed in counter 30 which is connected tosumming differential 124.

Selective gearing replaces the corresponding portion of the blendingdispenser described in U.S. Letters Patent 2,880,908. FIGURES 8-13 ofthat patent describe a xed increment pricing unit. Unit `10 herein isconnected to the other units in an identical manner to that utilized incorresponding portions of that patent. However, the constituent portionsof block 1i) are quite different as is explained in detail in thefollowing description of FIGS. 2-9 hereof.

`In FIG. 2 is shown a proportionate price increment selector 10incorporating a compound gear train 32 which is schematicallyrepresented in FIG. 9. The spaeial conguration of FIG. 9 is expandedfrom the true situation to more clearly indicate the individual stagesof gear train 32. However, it should be kept in mind that thedisposition of certain of its parts is altered from th true situationshown in FIG. 2. Now referring to FIG. 9 and to similarly described andnumbered portions of FIG. 2, compound gear train 32 is shown to includetwo stages which are a price increment stage 34 and a blending ratiostage 36. These stages `are connected in series to each other through aconnecting gear 38.

Price increment stage 34 incorporates aligned sets of price incrementgears 34a, b, c, d, e, f, g, l1, z`]', k, m, n and p, which are`selectively engageable with each other to provide a ratio setting forprice increment setting stage 34 in accordance with a predeterminedprice dierential of additive fluid over more inexpensive and loweroctane rating base iluid. This selective interconnection of associatedsets of gears 34a-34p to each other, for example, 341'1 to 341'2 is madethrough an idler gear 40` which is selectively engageable with any oneof associated price increment gear sets 34a-34p.

Blending ratio stage 36 incorporates sets of coordinated gears 36h, c,d, e, f, g, l1 and i. A selective interconnection of the gears 36e1 to36e2 of a set of coordinated gears 36e of sets 36h-361' of blendingratio stage 36 is accomplished through a respective associated idler42h-421', such as 42e, which is shown in FIG. 9 and all of which areindicated in FIG. 2 as later described.

The subscript l gears of associated sets 34b-34p of stage 34 are, forexample, secured to a shaft 44 which is rotatably mounted in bearingblocks 46 `and 48, and the subscript l gears of coordinated sets 36b-36of stage 36 are secured to a shaft 50 which is rotatably mounted inbearing blocks 52 Iand 54.

The subscript 2 gears of associated sets of gears 34a-34p of stage 34are rotatably mounted upon one end of shaft 50, for example, by`securing them to a sleeve 56 which is rotatably mounted upon theportion of shaft 50 shown in FIG. 9 aligned with stage 34; and thesubscript 2 sets of coordinated gears 36u-361 are rotatably mounted uponthe portion of shaft 44 shown in FIG. 9 aligned with stage 36, forexample, by being secured to a sleeve 58 which is rotatably mounted uponthat portion of shaft 44. FIG. V9, therefore, differs from the actualphysical arrangement in that sleeves 56 and 58 are shown displaced fromthe portions of shafts 50` and 44 upon which they rotate as actuallyshown in FIG. 2.

A rotational input 64 obtained from summing differential `24 is fed intoone end of compound gear train 32, for example, through end 63 of shaft44, and a rotational output 60 which is a combined function of theselected blending and price increment ratios is derived from the end 62of shaft 50. The actual physical disposition and operative mechanismwhich accomplishes transmission of the information and shifting of theratios is fully described in conjunction with FIGS. 2-8 and 8A in thefollowing.

In FIG. v2, as previously discussed, stages 34 and 36 are nested uponshafts 44 and 5()` to provide a simple and compact compound gear trainhaving two individually selective ratios. The ratio of stage 36 isdetermined by selective engagement of a set of coordinated gears 36b-36z` in the manner described in FIG. 9 by selective engagement of one`idler 42h-421, such as 42e, with gears 36e1 and 36e2 of a coordinatedset 36e. This selective engagement is accomplished as shown in FIGS. 2and 5 by rotation of idler carriage 68e about shaft 70 by actuation uponthe peak o-f cam 72e which bears against follower spring 74e, the remoteend 76e of which bears against a projection 78e upon carriage 68e. `Cams72e-7.2i are secured -to cam shaft 69 which receives a rotational inputthrough a linkage 81 from blending dispenser control knob 30 which ismounted outside of the dispenser and rotated by the operator inaccordance with the blending ratio selected to set the base and additivegear boxes to dispense a preselected blend of base and additive fluids.Dispenser 12 is, for example, of the type which dispenses 9 differentblends of uid ranging from a pure base fluid A to a pure additive fluidI whose angular dispositions are indicated accordingly in FIG. 5. `Oneof cams 72a-72i has its peak oriented at the particular angularorientation for engaging its corresponding idler `421%421 with acorresponding set of coordinated gears 36h-361 when its blending ratiois called for in a similar manner to that shown and described in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 4, in the place of a first coor-dinated set of gears only Vasingle gear 36h11 is provided which is immobilized by a pawl S2 mountedupon the end of -a oarriage 63a which carries no idler gear but is,actuated by a cam 72a in a similar manner to that described in FIG. 5.Carriage 68a is actuated by cum 72a when the pure base fluid A isselected. The price of the base fluid is determinable solely throughvariator 18, and no price increment need be added through device 10.Pawl 82, therefore, locks the output shaft 62 to prevent any undesiredrotation from occurring when the Ibase uid is dispensed.

FIG. 3 shows a plan View lof one of the idler carriage `arms 68h, forexample, which mount idler gear 42h between them for balanced support ofidler 42h. The portion 84 broken out of FIG. 2 further describes thedisposition of idler gear 42h and carriage 68h below coordinated set ofgears 361'1 and 3612.

In FIG. 6 is shown one of idler gears 4212-421' such `as 42b which ismaintained out `of engagement with gears 36h, and 36112 by rotation ofthe peak of cam 72b out of engagement with follower spring 74b whichlallows carriage 63h and idler gear 42h to -disengage lfrom gears 36b1`and 36b2 permitting the drive through stage 36 to `be accomplishedsolely through one engaged set of gears, such as 36e when cam 72e 'hasbeen rotated to engage gears 3661 and 3662 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows iixed connecting gear 38 permanently connecting stage 34 tostage 36 through associated gears 34x and 36x in a series -forrn ofconnection.

FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIGS. 8 and 8A show the mode in which idlergear 40 `selectively engages a set of associated price increment gears34a-34p to provide a selective price increment ratio. In contrast tostage 36, only ,one idler gear 40 is provided. Nevertheless, an idlergear `40 could be provided for each set, and one of them optionallyutilized, for example, by Camectuated engagement in a simil-ar manner tothat shown in stage 36. However, the use of only one idler simplifiesthe structure `and does not unduly complicate operation because theratio setting of price increment stage 34 need not be changed anywherenear the `frequency of variation of` the blending ratio stage 36. Priceincrement stage 34 need only be adjusted when the price of the additivetluid [is varied which thereby varies the additional cost which isreflected in the price through price increment stage 34.

FIG. 8 shows idler 40 mounted upon a pair of carriage arms `86 only oneof which is shown in FIG. 8. Idler `40 is maintained in engagement withassociated gears 341'1 and 341'2 by the bearing of follower spring 88upon a higher portion `90 of cam shaft 92 which is, for example, anaxial continuation of cam shaft I69 yassociated with stage 36. Cam.surface 90 includes, 'for example, only one depressed portion 94 whichis angularly aligned with the A or pure base fluid orientation of knob-80 to permit follower spring -88 to `fall into depression '94 in themanner shown in FIG. 8A when knob 80 is turned to the position providingpure base fluid. In this position, idler gear 40 drops out of engagementwith aligned set 341 of associated gears 3411 and 341'2 therebypermitting it to be manually slid axially back and Iforth along shaft 92in the direction of arrows 96 shown in FIG. 2 lby manipulation of tab97, thereby permitting the price increment ratio setting rto beconveniently varied by the operator b-y realigning with any otheraligned set of gears in section 34. It is not too inconvenient torequire :the operator to open up the pump casing to do this since theprice increment -setting is not varied very often, but a convenient typeof remote actuation could be utilized if desired.

As indicated-in IFIGS. 8 and 8A, this price increment ratio can only lbevaried when lthe dispenser is set to dispense the purefA iluid sincethis is the only time that idler 40 is out of engagement with lan.associated set of gears 34a-24p. Furthermore, it is not necessary tohave idler 40 enga-ging a set of these -gears when a base iluid isprovided because there is no output required from device 10 at that timeto be added to that of vari-ator 18` for correctly pricing the basefluid.

The thirteen sets of gears in price increment stage 34 may be arranged,for example, to provide a price spread between the base and additiveprice ranging, or example, from as little as three cents per gallon toeleven and one- Ihalf cents per gallon. Half-cent increments may, forexample, be arranged at any convenient intervals such as between thelower values, or they may be interspersed between all whole-centincrements. It is conceivable that suicient sets of gears to provideincrements ranging up to as much as sixteen and more and down to evenless than one cent might be advantageous, and the number of incrementsprovided is only limited by the -space requirements of the requiredgears `and the allowable length of the selective unit. Since theblending ratio stage 36 governs the output from unit 10 ystrictly inproportion to the amount of additive in the mixture, Ithe output #fromselective gearing 10 provided through output channel 64 to price summingdifferential 26 is strictly governed by the proportion of additive inthe base mixture. The total price, therefore, accurately reliects theproportions of b-ase and additive iluids in the mix dispensed.

What is claimed is:

l. A device 4for ydetermining the proportionate increment to be added tothe cost of a base Huid to which an additive is mixed :at predeterminedvariable rati-os by a blending dispenser having a metering element, saiddevice -comprising a compound gear train which is connected to themetering element of said blending dispenser which provides `an input tosaid gear .tra-in which corresponds to the rate at which it isdispensing the blending mixture, said compound gear train including twostages, one of said stages including associated sets of price incrementgears and means `for selectively individually engaging the price.increment gears of said associated sets with each other, saidassociated sets individually providing outputs corresponding to variousprice increments `for sai-d additive fluid over the price of said basefluid, Ia manual shifting means connected t-o said lone stage forindividually engaging the price increment gears of one of saidassociated sets with each other in accordance With a predeterminedadditive price increment, the other of `said stages includingcoordinated sets of blending rat-io gears and means for selectivelyengaging the blending ratio gears of said coordinated sets with eachother, said coordinated sets individually providing outputscorresponding to the various blending ratios of additive iluid to basefluid which are provided by said blending dispensers, a shifting meansconnected to said other stage for individually engaging the blendingratio gears of one of said coordinated sets with each other in responseto a control input, said shifting means including an input means forproviding -a control input which is governed by the blending ratio beingutilized by said dispenser whereby the blending ratio gears of the setof coordinated gears corresponding to said utilized blending ratio areengaged with each other, said stages being connected in series with eachother to provide an overall output which is a combined lfunction of theblending ratio to which said other stage is set and the price incrementratio to which said one stage is set, said compound gear train includingtwo parallel shafts, said other stage including a rst group of blendingratio gears secured to the tirst one of said shafts, said one stageincluding a first group of price increment gears rotatably mounted uponsaid first shaft, a second group of said price increment gears beingIsecured to the second `of said shafts in line with said rst group ofprice increment gears, a second group of said blending ratio gears beingrotatably mounted upon said second shaft in line with said rst group ofblending ratio gears, a connecting gear engaging said groups of gearswhich `are rotatably mounted upon said shafts to couple said stages inseries with each other, said shifting means including a series ofcam-operated idlers which are aligned with said coordinated gears ofsaid other blending ratio stage lfor permitting one of said idlers to beengaged at a time with its aligned gears to provide a ratiocorresponding to the blending ratio to which s-aid dispenser is set,said cams being equal in number to the number of diierent ratios towhich said dispenser may be set, said cams being Iangularly oriented forengaging said idlers with one of said coordinated sets of gears at ,atime, a locking projection being provided Ifor engagement with one ofsaid blending ratio gears for ini-mobilizing said device when base iluidonly is being dispensed, and ione of said cams being arranged to actuatesaid locking projection.

2. A `device for `determining the proportion-ate increment to be `ad-dedto the cost of a base iluid to which an additive iluid is mixed yatpredetermined Variable ratios by a blending `dispenser having a meteringelement, said device comprising a compound gear train which is connectedto the metering element of said blend-ing dispenser which provides aninput to said gear train which corresponds to the rate at which it isdispensing the blending mixture, said compound gear train including twostages, one of said stages including associated sets of price incrementgears and means for selectively individually engaging the priceincrement gears of said associated sets with each other, said associatedsets individually providing outputs corresponding to variou-s priceincrements for said additive iiuid over the price of said base fluid, =amanual shifting means connected to said one stage for individuallyengaging the price increment gears of yone lof said associated sets witheach other in accordance with a predetermined additive price increment,the other of said stages inclu-ding coordinated sets of blending ratiogears and means for selectively engaging the blending ratio gears ofsaid coordinated sets -witih each other, said coordinated setsindividually providing outputs corresponding to the various blendingratios of additive iiuid to base fluid which are provided by saidblending dispensers, a shifting means connected to said other stage forindividually engaging the blending ratio gears of one of saidcoordinated sets with each other in response to a control input, saidshifting means including -an input means for providing a control inputwhich is governed by the blending ratio being utilized by said-dispenser whereby the blending ratio gears of the `set of coordinatedgears corresponding to said utilized 7 blending ratio are engaged witheach other, said stages being connected in `series with each other toprovide an overall output which is a combined function of the b1endingratio to` which said other stage is set and the price increment ratio towhich said one stage is set, said com pound gear train including .twoparallel shafts, said other stage including a first group of blendingratio gears secured to the tirst one of said shafts, said one stageincluding ya rst group of price increment gears rotatably mounted uponsaid iirst shaft, a second gnoup of said price increment gears beingsecured to the lsecond of said shafts in line with said tirst group ofprice increment gears, a second group of said blending ratio gears beingrotatably mounted upon said second shaft in line with said fir-st groupof blending ratio gears, a connecting gear engaging Isaid groups ofgears which -are rotatably mounted upon said shafts to couple saidstages in series with each other, said shifting means including a seriesof cam-operated idlers which are aligned with said coordinated gears ofsaid other blending ratio stage -for permitting one of said idlers to beengaged lat la time with its aligned gears to provide a ratiocorresponding to the blending ratio to which said d-ispenser is set,said cams being equal in number to the number of different ratios towhich said dispenser may be set, said cams being angularly oriented forengaging said idlers with one of said coordinated sets of gears at atime, said `manu-al shifting means including an idler gear which is-alignable with one of said sets of associated price increment gears ata time, a rotatable cam means being associated with 4said idler gear,and said rotatable `cam being arranged to engage said idler with itsaligned set of associated price increment gears when a blendincorporating said 'additive uid is being dispensed land allowing saididler to become disengaged from said associated gears rwhen a blendincluding no additive is being dispensed to permit said idler to beshifted from one set of associ-ated price increment gears to the otherat that time.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS829,068 Fox Aug. 21, 1906 1,169,388 Fay Jan. 25, 1916 -2,836,361 HauptMay 27, 1958 2,880,908 Young Apr. 7, 1959 2,886,211 McGaughey et al aMay l2, 1959 2,898,002 Blanchett et al Aug, 4, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS903,263 France Sept. 28, 1945

1. A DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE PROPORTIONATE INCREMENT TO BE ADDED TOTHE COST OF A BASE FLUID TO WHICH AN ADDITIVE IS MIXED AT PREDETERMINEDVARIABLE RATIOS BY A BLENDING DISPENSER HAVING A METERING ELEMENT, SAIDDEVICE COMPRISING A COMPOUND GEAR TRAIN WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THEMETERING ELEMENT OF SAID BLENDING DISPENSER WHICH PROVIDES AN INPUT TOSAID GEAR TRAIN WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THE RATE AT WHICH IT IS DISPENSINGTHE BLENDING MIXTURE, SAID COMPOUND GEAR TRAIN INCLUDING TWO STAGES, ONEOF SAID STAGES INCLUDING ASSOCIATED SETS OF PRICE INCREMENT GEARS ANDMEANS FOR SELECTIVELY INDIVIDUALLY ENGAGING THE PRICE INCREMENT GEARS OFSAID ASSOCIATED SETS WITH EACH OTHER, SAID ASSOCIATED SETS INDIVIDUALLYPROVIDING OUTPUTS CORRESPONDING TO VARIOUS PRICE INCREMENTS FOR SAIDADDITIVE FLUID OVER THE PRICE OF SAID BASE FLUID, A MANUAL SHIFTINGMEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ONE STAGE FOR INDIVIDUALLY ENGAGING THE PRICEINCREMENT GEARS OF ONE OF SAID ASSOCIATED SETS WITH EACH OTHER INACCORDANCE WITH A PREDETERMINED ADDITIVE PRICE INCREMENT, THE OTHER OFSAID STAGES INCLUDING COORDINATED SETS OF BLENDING RATIO GEARS AND MEANSFOR SELECTIVLY ENGAGING THE BLENDING RATIO GEARS OF SAID COORDINATEDSETS WITH EACH OTHER, SAID COORDINATED SETS INDIVIDUALLY PROVIDINGOUTPUTS CORRESPONDING TO THE VARIOUS BLENDING RATIOS OF ADDITIVE FLUIDTO BASE FLUID WHICH ARE PROVIDED BY SAID BLENDING DISPENSERS, A SHIFTINGMEANS CONNECTED TO SAID OTHER STAGE FOR INDIVIDUALLY ENGAGING THEBLENDING RATIO GEARS OF ONE OF SAID COORDINATED SETS WITH EACH OTHER INRESPONSE TO A CONTROL INPUT, SAID SHIFTING MEANS INCLUDING AN INPUTMEANS FOR PROVIDING A CONTROL INPUT WHICH IS GOVERNED BY THE BLENDINGRATIO BEING UTILIZED BY SAID DISPENSER WHEREBY THE BLENDING RATIO GEARSOF THE SET OF COORDINATED GEARS CORRESPONDING TO SAID UTILIZED BLENDINGRATIO ARE ENGAGED WITH EACH OTHER, SAID